Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace presents: (Ret.) Ann Wright Dissent: Voices of Conscience Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq Sunday, February 17, 2008 – 6:30 p.m. John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Campus Center Macalester College, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN

During the run-up to war in Iraq, Army Colonel (Ret.) and diplomat Ann Wright resigned her State Department post. She was one among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military personnel who leaked documents, spoke out, resigned, or refused to deploy in protest of government actions they felt were illegal. In Dissent: Voices of Conscience, Ann Wright and Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law. At this February 17 event, Ann Wright will discuss and answer questions about her book. The presentation will be followed by a casual reception and book signing. Copies of Dissent: Voices of Conscience will be available for purchase from Magers & Quinn Booksellers. This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted to cover costs.

About Ann Wright Praise for the Book

Ann Wright grew up in Bentonville, “When the actions of government become dangerous to the security of the nation, it , and attended the University takes a special courage for men and women inside the government to speak out. If we of Arkansas, where she received a care about keeping democracy alive, we must welcome this book.” master’s and a law degree. She also has — Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the a master’s degree in national security “This…illuminating and remarkably impressive…book should be leaked into the affairs from the U.S. Naval War government. …This book could awaken…officials to withdraw their complicity College. After college, she spent and…tell the truth to [the public]. This country will not escape further human, legal, thirteen years in the U.S. Army and and moral catastrophes, or preserve itself as a democratic, constitutional republic, if sixteen additional years in the Army that does not happen. If you’re at all like me, you will have a whole set of new heroes Reserves, retiring as a Colonel. She is airborne-qualified. when you finish reading this. …Dissent: Voices of Conscience could change your life.” In 1987, Col. Wright joined the Foreign Service and served — from the Foreword, by as U.S. Deputy Ambassador in , Micronesia, “Voices of conscience are usually smothered in spin. That the stories of these heroes , and . She received the State are recorded here gives me great hope and shows that it is still possible to do the right Department’s Award for Heroism for her actions during the thing.” evacuation of 2,500 people from the civil war in Sierra — Ray McGovern, Retired CIA Analyst and Presidential Briefer for George H. W. Bush Leone, the largest evacuation since Saigon. She was on the first State Department team to go to Afghanistan and helped “As a soldier and a diplomat, Ann Wright always placed her country, its direction, and reopen the Embassy there in December 2001. Her other its welfare at the top of her priority list. She is, without question, one of the most overseas assignments include , , honest and ethical individuals I have been privileged to know. I salute Ann Wright and , Micronesia, and . the powerful voices of truth heard in Dissent.” — Brigadier General (Ret.) Pat Foote, Former Commanding General, Fort Belvoir, Virginia On March 19, 2003, the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Ann Wright cabled a letter of resignation to Secretary of “Ann Wright is not one to be silenced.” State , stating that without the authorization of — Ms. Magazine the UN Security Council, the invasion and occupation of a Muslim, Arab, oil-rich country would be a disaster. Since “Ann Wright is an American hero. She has shown immense bravery and resolve in her then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace. She quest for peace. For her energy and commitment to peace, justice, and strengthening fasted for a month, picketed at Guantánamo, served as a democratic principles, Ann Wright has earned the first annual Truthout Freedom and juror in impeachment hearings, and has been arrested Democracy Award.” numerous times for peaceful, nonviolent protest of Bush’s — Victoria Harper, truthout.org policies, particularly the war on Iraq. She lives in Honolulu.

More Information Krista Menzel (651) 641-7592 or Anne Benson (651) 647-0580 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.mppeace.org/annwright